Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-02-10

SAN FRANCISCO, February 9th. = A
dramatic and sensational episode occurred
tonight at the Grand Opera House, where
Adelina Patti was giving her last concert
of the season, and which was also an
nounced as her last appearance i'll this city.
The incident will tend to make her fare
well performance here memorable. At
1920, after Patti had twice appeared in the
front of the curtain, in response to recall
at the conclusion of the aria from Travi-
ata," and Just as she had retired again to
the wing,
TREMENDOUS EXPLOSION
Was clearly heard above the vociferous ap-
plause, and a cloud of smoke was seen to
rise above the railing of the top gallery
Instantly every lorgnette in the house was
focused on that portion of the house where
the exciting scene was transpiring, and
panic was imminent. People in the gal
leries were rushing about, seeking the
quickest means of exit, and it was only by
the seif-possession of the newspaper men
present in box, coupled with that of the
diva, that stampede of the entire house
for outdoors was prevented. The newspa-
per men were in the stage box, and quickly
perceived that
NO SERIOUS RESULT
Had occurred, and that the danger was
over. They communicated by mods and
motions with Patti, who was still in sight
in the flies, to come before the curtain.
She comprehended the situation, came
forward quickly, and giving the cue to
Arditi, began to sing Home, Sweet
Home" This had calming effect on the
audience, and though many left without
waiting to ascertain the cause and effect of
the unexpected punctuation to the per-
Torrance, the concert was carried on to
conclusion.
THE LOCATION OF THE TROUBLE.
Soon as the location of the trouble could
be learned, policemen rushed to the scene,
and found man with badly burned
face and hand, moaning with agony,
and the remains of an Internal machine
about him. He was placed under arrest,
and conveyed to the Receiving Hospital,
where he stated that he had stopped to
pick up his hat and cane, and found a
package under the seat, which he picked
up, and that as he raised it to see what it
was, it exploded. Though he was badly
burned about the face and hands, it is be-
lieved he received no serious injuries No
other person is known to be hurt. He
gave his name as DR.. James Hodges, dys-
pepsia specialist; residence, No. Central
Place, aged IL.
STATEMENT BY LADY.
Others, however, give different and I'M
doubtedly correct version of the affair. A
lady who sat next to him, and narrowly
escaped injury, states that during the even
ing he made number of significant re-
marks which pointed clearly to the pur-
pose which he later attempted to carry out.
Among the observations which the lady
distinctly remembered was: Patti is
singing excellently tonight but she
will never sing any more
He was also heard to make uncompli-
mentary and revengeful illusions to ]. c.
Flood and family, who were present in
box. At the Receiving Hospital, after his
wounds were dressed, the Chief of Police
attempted to make him commit himself,
but was completely unsuccessful. He
stoutly maintained his innocence. The
Chief of Police pronounces him crank.
HOW THE BOMB WAS MADE.
The bomb was made of a can filled with
powder, in the center of which was a bot
tie. The can was wrapped in piece of
cloth soaked in infammable oil, and it is
believed that the intention was not only
to kill Patti and those near the stage,
but also to set fire to the building.
1t was arranged to explode by num-
Der of friction matches, which connected
with the fuse inserted in the powder The
theory is that the fuse burned too quick
for the crank, and the explosion was pre-
mature. Though Patti performed her part
in the evenings programme to the finish,
it was not C able that the occurrence had
considerable effect upon her, and some
what subdued her usual vivacity.